Duplicating apparatus



arch 22, 9. A. J. LEVENHAGEN ETAL DUPLICATING APPARATUS Original FiledApril 25, 1942 NWWLWN March Z2, 1949. A.J'.1 EVENHGEN ETAL. 2,465,160

' DUPLICATING APPARATUS Original Filed April 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2T/QZ uuu'

l I A Mafch 22, 194.9. A. J. LEVENHAGEN ETAL 2,465,160

DUPLICATING APPARATUS 5 She'ets-Sheet 3 Original Filed April 25. 1942March 22, 1949. A. J. LEVENHAGEN ET AL DUPLI CAT ING APPARATUS OriginalFiled April 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 22, 1949. A. J. LEVENHAGENET A1. 2,465,160

DUPLICATING APPARATUS Original Filed April 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Patented Man1949 DUPLICATIN G APPARATUS Arthur J. Levenhagen, Chicago,and William J. Champion, La Grange, Ill., asslgnors to Ditto,Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of West Virginia Originalapplication April 25, 1942, Serial No. 440,494, now Patent No.2,351,863, dated June 20, 1944. Divided and this application March 2,1944, Serial No. 524,686

6 Claims.

This invention relates to duplicating by the liquid process method andparticularly to the means for applying a illm of solvent to the inkedface of. the master sheet. This application is a division of ourapplication Serial No. 440,494 illed April 25, 1942, patented June 20,1944, No.

2,351,863, for Method of duplicating."

It is the principal object of the invention to provide an improvedarrangement of parts by which a thin i'llm of solvent may be appliedeffectively to the inked face of the master sheet so as to soften theink very slightly for the production of a copy but so as to prevent themaster sheet from being moistened excessively or discolored or smeared.To this end, it is one of the objects of the invention to provide for athor,- ough cleaning of the roller or other applicator by which thesolvent is spread on the face of the master sheet so that the film ofsolvent is applied at all times to a clean surface portion of theapplicator and may be spread evenly and thinly, and the applicator andthe master sheet are protected from becoming sloppy. The master sheetand the ink thereon are protected from becoming saturated and soggy atspots as would be likely to result ii' ink were permitted to collect andpile up gradually on the face of the applicator.

It is another object of the invention to provide for the accomplishmentof the several objects by the use of a structure which is simple so asto 'be readily produced and so a's to be capable of standing up wellduring long continued periods of use. It is another object of theinvention to provide a structure of this typein connection with a drumby 'which the master sheet is carried around, with the impression takingplace at the bottom face portion of the drum on the top face of a copysheet, and with the arrangement such that none of the solvent or otherliquid employed is likely under any circumstances to leak or to becarried by capillary attraction or otherwise abnormally through theliquid handling and shielding parts of the machine so as to come intocontact with a copy sheet and to be transferred therefrom to the" faceof the master sheet.

In one form of arrangement for carrying out the objects of theinvention, a thin and readily' absorbent masking sheet is provided overthe inked face of the master sheet so that the film of solvent isapplied through the masking sheet.l

IUI-132.5)

For operation in this manner, requiring that there be a liberal supplyof solvent, a pick-up roller is employed in lieu of a wick for feedingthe solvent to the applicator roller, a third roller also being employedpreferably between the pickup roller and the applicator roller.

Itis another object of the invention to improve mechanisms and methodsof this type in sundry details hereinafter set forth. The preferredmeans by which the several objects of the inven- 'tion are attained isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is alongitudinal vertical sectional view through a duplicating machinecomprising the invention, being substantially a section taken at theline i-l of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially at the line2--2 Fig. 1; y

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially atthe line 3 3 of Fig. l and with certain parts omitted for clearness ofillustration;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View showing a portion ofthe structure of Fig. l but upon an enlarged scale, being takensubstantially at the line d-d of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing a modified constructionarranged for a slightly changed operation; and

Fig. 6 is a face view of the drum of Fig. 5 as seen from the left insaid gure on a reduced scale, with a portion of the masking sheet brokenaway.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, in which correspondingparts are indicated by the same reference characters, l@ and il indicatestandards at opposite sides of a liquid process duplicating machineconnected by transversely positioned crossbars i2 and I3. Between thestandards iii and il, a duplicating drum ld is rotatably supported bymeans of a heavy shaft i5, such drum being provided with meanscomprising grippers i6 of any approved type for holding a master sheetil removably in position thereon, the master sheet il being in theformof a sheet of paper provided on its outer face with a design formedin reverse from hectograph ink, as is well understood in connection withmachines of this type. Means is provided for rotating the drum itcontinuously during the 3 operation oi' the machine, comprising a gear I3 ilxedly mounted on the shaft I5 and meshing with a smaller gear I!rotatably mounted on the standard II so as to be driven by a crank 20,as is clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Below the drum I 4, an impression roller 2| is rotatably mounted inposition for pressing a copy sheet fed from the left in Fig. l1 intoimpression relationship with the master sheet I1, such impression roller2| being rotatably mounted between two levers 22 pivotally mounted at 23at opposite sides of the machine. At their lower ends, the levers 22 areprovided with pins 24 adjustably mounted thereon in position to engagecams 25 rotatably mounted by means of a shaft 2-5 extending across themachine. The arrangement is such that by rotary movement of the camsthrough the medium of the shaft the arms 22 are swung about the axis at23 for moving the impression roller 2| toward and from the drum forcontrolling the degree of pressure between the drum and the roller. y

At a short distance to the rear of the impression roller 2|, two copysheet forwarding rollers 21 and 28 are rotatably mounted in position,the roller 21 being secured by means of a shaft 29 mounted in thestandards IIJ and II, and the roller 28 being supported by means of ashaft 30 bearing upon arms 3| pivotally mounted on said standards. As isbest shown in Fig. 1, the arms 3| extend backwardly toward the left ashort distance so as to provide adjustable connections for springs 32therewith, such springs having their lower ends connected with saidstandards so as to press the roller 28 yieldingly against the roller 21.The means for driving the rollers 21 and 28 at substantially the samesurface speed as that of the drum I4 comprises a pinion 33 xedlyconnected with the roller 21, such pinion 33 meshing with an idlerpinion 34, which in turn meshes with a large gear 35 rotatably mountedon the shaft I5.

Means is provided for driving the gear 35 intermittently from the drum 4or from the means by which the drum is rotated, such intermittentdriving means being of the type shown and described by prior patent toNeal No. 2,275,455, of March 10, 1942. This means comprises a cam 36ixedly mounted on the shaft I5 and provided with a pawl 31 pivotallymounted on the inner face of the cam in position for engagement with aratchet wheel 38 iixedly mounted on the outer face of the gear 35. Thearrangement is such that when the pawl 31 is in engagement with theratchet wheel 38 the gear 35 rotates with the drum so as to drive theroller 21 at substantially the same surface speed as that of the drum.

For obtaining an intermittent driving of the roller 21 while the drum I4is driven continuously, a cam 39 is provided in stationary position onthe framework of the machine so as to engage a roller 40 carried by thepawl 31. The arrangement is such that upon each revolution of the drumI4 the roller 40 is moved inwardly so as to disengage the pawl 31momentarily from one tooth of the ratchet wheel 38 for permitting thegear 35 to be brought to rest while the cam continues to rotate. As soonas the roller 40 passes the cam 39, the pawl 31 is again brought intooperative position so as to engage the next succeeding tooth of theratchet wheel 38 for causing renewed rotation of the gear 35. Means isalso provided for stopping the rotation of the gear 35 when the pawl 31is moved out of operative driving position. This means comprises aseries of pins 4I ilxedly mounted on the outer face ot the gear 35 incircumferentially spaced relation to each other thereabout and arrangedin such position that one of the pins is engaged by a notched arm orlatch 42 so as to hold the gear from rotary movement when such arm 42 ispermitted to move inwardly, such arm or latch 42 being pivotally mountedupon a bracket 42a upon which the cam is mounted. As is shown in Fig. 1,the arm 42 is normally held out of operative latching position by meansof a roller 43 on the arm engaging the edge of the cam 36, such camhaving a low spot at 44 for permitting the arm 42 to move into positionfor engaging one of the pins 4I for a short period at each revolution ofthe drum so as to hold the gear 35 and the roller 21 stationary duringsuch period. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that a copysheet fed into the bite of the forwarding rollers 21 and 28 during theperiod when the rollers are at rest is moved forwardly by such rollersupon the resumption of their rotary movement so as to have the desiredregistration with the master sheet on the drum.

For holding a pile 45 of copy sheets in position to be fed one at a timeinto the bite of the forwarding rollers 21 and 2s and for directing thesheets accurately into position between the rollers, a table 46 of anyapproved type is provided to the rear of the forwarding rollers, anobliquely disposed guiding member 41 in the form of a plate beingprovided above the path of the copy sheets for assisting in the feed ofthe sheets into position. A tray 28 is also mounted in position a shortdistance ahead of the impression roller ZIV for receiving the copysheets from the drum after the several impression operations.

The improved means for applying a lm of solvent on the inked face of themaster sheet I1 is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Two heavy plates d3 and50 are pivotally mounted in position opposite to each other at oppositesides of the machine, being pivotally supported by means of pins 5|extending into suitable openings in lugs 52 positioned on the innerfaces of the standards It and (see Fig. 3). Between the upper endportions of the plates 49 and 50, a roller 53 is ro tatably mounted soas to engage the face of the master sheet I1 on the drum, as is bestshown in Fig. 4. At their lower ends, the plates 49 and 50, have links54 pivotally connected thereto, such links extending rearwardly throughopenings in a crossbar 55 carried by the standards, IIJ and I I, suchlinks having nuts 56 secured by means of screw-threads on their rearends so as to press the roller 53 adjustably toward the drum I4. A gear51 xedly mounted on the roller 53 meshes with a large gear 58 mounted soas to rotate withthe drum I4, the parts being accul rately proportionedfor causing the roller to have the same surface speed as that of themaster sheet on the drum in its rotation in clockwise direction in Fig.4.

Means is provided for applying a film of solvent to the face of theroller 53, comprising an absorbent pad 59 mounted on a plate 50 so as tobear on the top face of said roller 53, said plate 6|! being pivotallymounted in position on the plates 49 and 50 by means of a rock-shaft 5Iwelded or otherwise rigidly secured thereto, as is best shown in Fig. 4.At opposite end portions, the rockshaft 6| is provided with downwardlyextending arms 6 Ia in rigid position thereon, the lower ends of saidarms being connected through springs 62 with the plates 49 and 56 so asto press the pad 58 yieldingly against the roller 53. The pad 59 isadjustably pressed against the plate 60 by means of a cross-positionedplate 63 underneath the pad connected with the plate 6I) by means of aseries of bolts 64. At its rear end portion; the pad 59 extendsdownwardly into a supply of solvent 65 in a receptacle 66 positioned onthe plates 49 and 50 just to the rear of the' roller 53. At the left inFig. 3, the receptacle 66 is prolonged beyond the plate 49- and isprovided with an upwardly open neck portion 61 into which a nipple 68opens, the upper end of the nipple being in engagement with the neck ofa bottle 69 containing a supply of solvent. the arrangement being suchthat solvent is fed by gravity into the receptacle to a predeterminedlevel therein as controlled by a liquid seal effect and as is wellunderstood in the art. In the arrangement shown, the bottle 69 issupported in position by a bracket 10 carried by the standard I0, asshown in Fig. 4.

With the nuts 56 adjusted for causing the desired degree of pressure ofthe roller 53 against the drum I4, and with a supply, of solvent in thereceptacle 66, the solvent is Vcarried by capillary attraction throughthe pad 59 and is applied toV the top face of the roller 53 as saidroller and the drum I4 rotate inoperative engagement with each other,the amount of the solvent applied being controlled by the adjustment ofthe cross plate 63 toward the top plate 60. This lm of solvent is inturn applied to the inked face of the master sheet bythe engagement ofthe moistened roller 53 directly therewith, the lm of solvent causing aslight softening of the ink on the master sheet so as to bring about theformation of a copy on each of the several successive copy sheetspressed by the impression roller 2l against the master sheet.

For preventing any of the softened ink on the master sheet from buildingup on the roller 53 so as to cause the roller to become sloppy 0r so asto produce a smudging effect on the master, a lm of ink neutralizingagent is applied to the face of the roller below the point at which theroller engages the master sheet. The means for y`effecting this resultcomprises an absorbent pad 1I supported by a cross-positioned plate 12so as to press on the bottom face of the roller 53. the plate 12 beingpivotally mounted in position by vmeans of end flanges or arms 13, theupper ends of which are connected through the medium of coiled springsY14 with the wall of a receptacle 15 so as to press the pad yieldinglyagainst the roller. The springs 14 are connected with the wall of thereceptacle-by means of adjustable eye-bolts 16 by which the degree ofpressure of the pad against the roller may be controlled. The rear endportion of the pad dips into a supply of ink neutralizing agent in thereceptacle so as to cause a film of the ink neutralizing agent to beapplied to the face of the roller continuously during the operation ofthe machine. The pad 1I is preferably pressed into tight engagement withthe plate 12 by means of a cross plate 12a positioned above the pad andconnected adjustably therewith by means of bolts 12b. i

The invention is not to be limited to the use of any particular type ofink neutralizing agent, except so far as the same may be specificallyclaimed. Good results have been attained in connection with hectographink by the use of a 10% solution of ethylene diamine, or by the use of a10% solution of hydrochloric acid, or by the use of a 2% solution ofsodium hypochlorite. By the use of an ink neutralizing agent on theroller 53 as above described, any tendency for the ink to build up onthe roller from the master sheet is effectively prevented, and thesolvent is applied continuously lupon a thoroughly cleaned portion ofthe applicator roller. In this-way, the master. sheet is keptcomparatively clean and dry so as to make possible the production ofsharp copies. For insuring that the roller 53 may be cleaned thoroughly,a wiper 11 is preferably employed at the upwardly moving face portion ofthe roller 53, such wiper being mounted on a cross plate 18 so as topress on the roller, the wiper being adjustably mounted on the plate 18by means of a top pressure plate 18 adjustably secured in position bymeans of machine screws 80.

In the preferred form of mechanism, the roller 53 is made of steel orother suitable metal with its surface as smooth as possible so as toprevent solvent from penetrating the face of the roller or from ndinglodgement in any indentations in the face of the roller. With the roller53 highly smooth and with the film of solvent thereon of even thicknessover the surface, the-solvent is applied to the ink of the master sheetevenly and without any excess of solvent at any point. The result isthat the outer face portions .only of the ink bodies of the master sheetare moistened so as to prevent the solvent from soaking into the bodiesof the ink while at the same time softening the outer faces sufficientlyfor causing the formation of a sharp copy on the copy sheet when pressedrmly against the master sheet by the impression roller.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, which show a modified form of themoistening mechanism, the parts are indicated by the same referencecharacters as above specied so far as the parts are the same as thosemaking up the form of mechanism as shown in Fig. 1. In the modifiedconstruction, an applicator roller, 8l is employed substantially similarin its form and in the mounting 'means therefore except that it is ofsmaller sizeethan the roller 53. The roller 8| is drivenby means of apinion 82 meshing with the large gear 58 so as to drive the roller 8|`continuously at the same surface speed as that of the master sheet I1carried by the drum I4. The arrangement with respect to the master sheetis different in`Figs. 5 and 6 from the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to4, in that an absorbent masking sheet 83 is employed in connection withthe master sheet I1, the two sheets I1 and 83 being secured in positiontogether by means of the grippers I6, with the absorbent masking sheet83 on the outside of the master sheet next to the inked face thereof.

. Modied means is provided for applying solvent to the face of theapplicator roller 8l so as to provide a slightly heavier lm of solventthereto. The means forapplying the solvent to the roller 8l comprises aroller 84 rotatably mounted above Ithe roller 8i in pressurerelationship thereto, together with a roller 85 engaging the downwardlymoving faeeof the roller 84. The roller 84 is mounted so as to beadjustable obliquely downwardly and outwardly for varying its pressurerelationship with respect to the rollers 8i and 85. A coiled spring 86is connected with the roller 84 at eachl end thereof so as to press theroller yieldingly into its pressure relationship with both of thecooperating rollers. The

and even'on its outer face.

means for applying solvent to the three rollers 9i, 94 and 99 comprisesa receptacle 91 containing a supply of solvent 99 into which the lower vportion of the roller 99 dips so as to pick up a supply of solvent forapplication nrst to the roller 94 and for application from that rollerto the roller 9i. The thickness of the nlm of solvent thus applied iscontrolled by the pressure between the rollers 94 and y95 as regulatedby the springs 99 which are made adjustable for controlling theireii'ective pressure. Endplates 99 of any approved type are employed atthe end's of the rollers 94 and 95 for preventing the solvent fromrunning lengthwise oil the rollers out of 'the trough provided by saidtwo rollers, as is well understood in the art. The receptacle 91 isprovided at one end with an upwardly open neck portion 99 into` whichV anipple extends for! carrying solvent from a bottle 99' to thereceptacleill asis above described in connection with the structure ofFig. 3.

The means for applying ink neutralizing agent upon the bottom faceportion of the roller 9| is very similar to that above described inconnection with the applicator roller 99. 'I'his means bomprises anabsorbent pad 9| mounted between plates 92 and 99 which are pressedtogether by means of bolts 94, the pressure of the pad against y theroller 9| being controlled by means of arms 95 connected with the plate92 and pressed yieldingly in eounterclockwise direction in Fig. by meansof springs 99 connected to themounting plates 49 and 59. The lower endportion of the absorbent pad 9| extends downwardly into a supply 91 ofink neutralizingagent-contained in `a receptacle 99. An absorbent wiperpad 99 is provided in position to engage the upwardly moving faceportion of the applicator. 'roller li, such pad being mounted inposition by means of plates |99 and I9I secured together at oppositefaces of the pad by means of machine screws |92. [y

As is stated above, the applicator roller 9iJ is generally similar tothe roller 59, being formed with a metal facing which is made verysmooth The roller 94 is preferably made of neoprene `or rubber of about50 to 55 Shore hardness. The roller 95 is made of comparatively hardermaterial such as Roulene or possibly of metal. Each of the rollers 9i,94 and 95 has an outer surface impervious to the solvent 99.

By the use of the mechanism as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the nlm ofsolvent is applied to the linked face of the master sheet I1 through theabsorbent masking sheet 99. With the masking sheet 93 in position overthe master sheet, the ink of the master sheet is protected from becomingovermoistened so as to become sloppy or smudged or discolored. the inkcharacters being thus maintained intact with sharp outlines so as toproduce clean-cut copies on the copy sheets pressed against the maskingsheet by the impression roller 2|.

In either form of the invention, the solvent and neutralizing agent willbe prevented from engagement with either the sheets being fed from thestack 49 to the impression roller 2| or the feed roller 21 due to theshielding action of the walls of the receptacle 15, the upper guidemember 41, and the guard plate located between the feed roller 21 andthe drum I4.

While the form and arrangement as shown and described are preferred, theinvention is not to be limited thereto except as the claims may be solimited, it being understood that changes in the tion oi' a drum havingmeans for securing a muter sheet removably thereon., means for rotatingsaid drum, a roller rotatably mounted in position for pressing a copysheet into impression relationship with a master, sheet on the drum asthe drum rotates, means comprising an applicator moving at the samesurface speedas that of the master sheet, and engaging said sheet. meansfor supplying a solvent to the surface of said applicator before movinginto engagement with said sheet for applying a film of solvent directlyto the inked face of the master sheet in spaced relation to the point ofengagement of the copy sheet with the master sheet, an absorbent memberengaging1 the-face pfldpplicator for applying a nlm of ink neutralizingagent thereto after moving out of engagement with said sheet forpreventing the ink from building up on the applicator from the mastersheet, and means for feeding a supply of such ink neutralizing agent tosaid absorbent member.

2. In a duplicating mechanism, the combination of a drum having meansfor securing a master sheet removably thereon. means for rotating saiddrum, a roller rotatably mounted in position for pressing a copy sheetinto impression relationship with a. master sheet on the drum as thedrum rotates, means comprising an applicator moving at the same surfacespeed as that ofthe master sheet for applying a nlm of solvent directlyto the inked face of the master sheet in spaced relation to the point ofengagement of the copy sheet with the master sheet. an absorbent memberengaging the face of said applicator for applying a nlm of inkneutralizing agent thereto for preventing the ink from building up onthe applicator from the master sheet, means for feeding a supply of inkneutralizing agent to said absorbent member for application to saidapplicator, and means for wiping the' ink neutralizing agent from theface of the applicator for preventing it from mixing with vthe solventthereon.

3. In a duplicating mechanism, the combination of a drum having meansfor securing a master sheet removably thereon, means for rotating saiddrum. a roller rotatably mounted in position for pressing a copy sheetinto impression relationship with the master sheet at the lower portionof the drum as the drum rotates, a roller .rotatably mounted in positionto engage the inked face of the master sheet at the downwardly movingface portion of the drum, means for driving said second rollerpositively at the same surface speed as that of the drum," an absorbentmember engaging said second roller at its top face portion, a receptaclefor solvent into which said absorbentmember extends for feeding a filmof solvent to said second roller for transfer to tion of a drum havingmeans for securing a master sheet and an absorbent masking sheettogether thereon with the masking sheet on the outside, means forrotating said drum, a roller rotatably mounted in position for pressinga copy sheet into impression relationship with said firstnamed sheets asthe drum rotates, a smooth, hard surfaced roller rotatably mounted inposition to engage said masking sheet, means for driving said secondroller, a third roller rotatably mounted above said second roller inconstant engagement therewith, a fourth roller rotatably mounted inconstant engagement with a side face portion of said third roller, saidthird and fourth rollers having their axes substantially horizontallyalignedand a receptacle adapted to hold a supply of solvent into whichsaid fourth roller extends for causing a continuous film of solvent tobe applied to said last-named three rollers in turn for transfer to theinked face of the master sheet through said absorbent masking sheet asthe drum rotates.

5. In a duplicating mechanism, the combination of a drum having meansfor securing a master sheet removably thereon, means for rotating saiddrum, and means for applying a solvent directly to the surface of saidsheet comprising an applicator moving at the same surface speed as saidmaster sheet and engaging the same, a member engaging the face of saidapplicator for applying solvent to said applicator, a member en gagingthe face of said applicator for applying a film of ink neutralizingagent thereto, and means for wiping the ink neutralizing agent from theface of the applicator for preventing it from mixing with the solventthereon.

6. In a duplicating mechanism, the combination of a drum and means forsecuring a master sheet removably thereon, means for rotating said drum,and means for applying a solvent directly to the surface of said sheetcomprising a roller moving at the same surface speed yas said mastersheet and engaging the same, a member engaging the top portion of saidroller for applying solvent thereto, a second member engaging the lowerportion of said roller for feeding ink neutralizing agent to saidroller, and wiping means engaging the surface of said roller betweensaid members after engagement thereof with said ink Vneutralizing agentfeeding member.

ARTHUR J. LEVENHAGEN. WILLIAM J. CHAMPIoN. REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Neal Dec. 7, 1943

